SB Assailant Episode 1.4 Infection

[Deleted]

Commander Harrias Jira and Admiral Lin left Interview Room One and proceeded towards Ops. Magellan was sullen and Harrias thought it best not to test the waters of his superior officer's mood.

The corridor down which the two were travelling was, for the moment, hosting no other persons than the two Starfleet officers. This was good. Had Tepes planned the setting, it could not have been better, save for the intensity of the lighting – Tepes preferred shadows.

At the turn of a corner, near the junction of the wall and the ceiling, a dull, verdant mist entered through a ventilator shaft, lowering itself to the floor. As it did so, the sound of two pairs of boots on metal increased in volume, and, as if in answer, the mist vibrated, stretched vertically, and coalesced into a dark humanoid form.

The man that now stood among the last swirls of the mist stepped forward toward the sound of the approaching persons. He was tall and aristocratic in bearing, dressed in black with a dark cape. With a deep, calming voice, he greeted the two.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he began in a central European accent. "I wonder if I could ask your indulgence for a few moments. Not long, I assure you."

Against their better judgment, Magellan and Harrias stopped, turning their attention as one to the dark stranger.

"We haven’t much time," Magellan answered. "Make it quickly."

"Of course, Admiral," Tepes intoned. "It will take but a moment." Then, without warning, the tenor of his gaze instantly changed.

The dark stranger's gaze took on a mesmerizing quality, and his voice changed to a commanding, yet soporific, tone. He turned his attention to Harrias.

"You," Tepes said. "You will proceed on your way. As far as you are concerned, the Admiral is still with you. Go!"

Harrias attempted to shake off the effects of Tepes’ commands, but found himself unable to do so. Within the moment, he was again walking towards Ops.

"And you, Admiral," Tepes continued, "we have business to attend to, you and I. I have something I want to give to you. Something of great value." Magellan wondered what that thing of value might be. He tried to form words, but found it difficult to speak; the words seemed to choke in the pit of his stomach.

"It is time," Tepes said, slowly raising his hand to Magellan’s eye level to join with his intensified gaze. "Come!"

Only a few seconds passed before a struggling Magellan found his body moving slowly toward the stranger. He could see Tepes’ lips part as he moistened them, revealing glistening teeth with canines slightly larger than twice the size of the normal human.

The two were within arm’s length of each other as Admiral Lin continued to walk. Taking his cape in hand, Tepes laid hold on Magellan, directing him into position, as his fangs came slowly closer to the Admiral’s neck.

"Your blood to my blood, Admiral," Tepes whispered, and his fangs closed on Magellan’s jugular.

Uninterrupted, Tepes fed.

tag: Magellan.

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan was frozen, rooted to the spot.
He could feel his life blood ebb, he could sense the rising panic in his own mind twinned with that of Lins.
The symbiont thrashed within him aware that something bad, very bad was happening.
Suddenly his mind was invaded, he could feel an essence, something dark, something daemonic, evil, corrupt, entering. It brushed past his feeble mental attempts at resistance, overwhelming him completely. It pushed and pushed. It asserted itself throughout his brain and there was nothing Magellan could do, quickly he reached the brink and was toppled over the edge to plummit to infinity.
"It is done" the Stranger noted.
"Indeed" Magellan replied, "What now?"
"You were the last. Now we can move more freely. You must return to your post. Begin calling back your ships. Sire only the Captain or FO of each, allow them to take control of their ships."
"Understood."
"Good. Now spread the faith and the word. Spread it in the dark places where people fear to tread. Spread it far and wide, give us the means to control this place and feast on more."
"It will be done. I should go to Ops before Captain Jira realises I am missing"

Magellan appeared at Ops and wandered up to his office past his aide Commander Zoilip. The bolian barely looked up and failed to notice the strangely malevolent look in his commanding officers eyes.
"I do not want to be disturbed" Magellan said as he entered his office.
"Aye Sir"
Magellan crossed to his desk and keyed in access to his terminal.
"Computer display tactical information concerning fleet disposition in the Qualinost Sector."

As Magellan sat and plotted in body, his spirit resided in an entirely new locale. He had felt his essence being forced and pummelled into a tiny box created by the overwhelming malevolence that had entered his mind at the strangers bite. Just as he had begun to feel that box close, to be trapped, able to watch but not act, he had fallen. No. Not fallen, had been pulled. With sudden clarity Magellan realised that all that he was, was now no longer split between neural clusters, he was now one, one with Lin. His symbiont had snatched his soul at the last moment, and together, more as one than they had ever been, they sat in the dark watching the imposter, powerless and alone.

[Deleted]

T'val roamed the station, lost and confused. Since her encounter with Tepes, she knew she had changed, but into what? She had yet again eluded the EMH, and now she would not return to sickbay. Noting the hall lights were considerably dimmer than before, she also knew that someone else was infected.

She noted Captain Jira walking alone through the corridors towards OPS, and she considered following him but something (or someone?) held her back. Instead, she was drawn elsewhere and she had no choice but to follow. She looked up as she heard a screeching above her. Squinting, she saw Saaroks blue firelizard. "Shoo," she said, waving the little blue away. She was not entirely sure if Saarok was infected, and she did not really care if he was. He had trusted her and she had betrayed that trust, she could not face him.

Before she realized it, she stopped walking and found herself face to face with Magellan. Panic spread across her features when she looked up at him. Was she supposed to do something now? Then she saw him smile down at her, and she took note of the canine teeth. Still unsure, and still panicked, she smilled back feebly.

"Admiral," she whispered, looking at her feet. She knew Tepes was about, somehow she knew but she did not understand. This one, however, was a powerful one and she had to mind him. Perhaps she was to guard him from anyone who wished him harm? T'Val was not sure. "How may I please the admiral?" she continued in low voice.

<Magellan/Tepes>

[Deleted]

Alex walked toward the nearest turbolift to his ship and pulled his comm link off of his belt. "Computer, location of Admiral Magellan?"

"Admiral Magellan is in Operations."

Richard nodded and boarded a turbolift. A few minutes later, he stepped onto Deck 2 and walked to Operations. Showing his diplomatic ID to the guard, Richard walked in and looked around. The roome was filled with the low murmurs typical of a Starfleet operations area. He looked up at the operations board, which showed ships passing through the area. Richard thought that there were an unusually large number of Starfleet ships heading towards Assailant, but shrugged it off. Fleet disposition wasn't his area of expertise.

After some searching, Richard found Admiral Magellan whispering in a corner with T'Val. Richard stopped and then quietly walked back around the corner so that he could not be seen by the two furtive people. Richard cautiously peeked back around the corner and spent a few seconds observing the two of them. He couldn't tell what they were talking about, but they seemed very intent on the conversation. Watching the two of them somehow made Richard uncomfortable, so he decided to interrupt.

Richard strode around the corner and broke in on their conversation. "Excuse me, Admiral, but may I have a moment of your time?"

The two of them jumped in surprise. T'Val seemed to be about to take flight. Richard stopped, still uncomfortable for some reason and spoke from a distance. "Sorry Admiral, but I was wondering if you could remove the guard from my ship. The station problems seem to be over, and I am sure that a better use could be found for the man."

Magellan appeared to think for a second, then said "Of course, Mr. Jibb. If you think that security is no longer required, I will have him removed."

"Thank you, Admiral. I guess that I'll be going." Nodding at the both of them, Richard beat a hasty retreat out of Ops.

Magellan and T'Val shared a look as they watched Richard hurry out of Operations.

[Deleted]

Richard quickly moved through Starbase Assailant on his way back to the Wanderer. His heart was still beating a bit fast after his encounter with Magellan and T'Val.

Richard tried to figure why he was feeling this way. He had spoken to Magellan on a number of occasions and had never had this kind of a reaction. He couldn't recall actually talking to T'Val before, but she was just a Vulcan. No reason for this type of negative reaction.

Shaking his head to try to get rid of his feeling of dread, Richard stepped off of the turbolift and finished the walk to the Wanderer. He noted that the guard that he had been assigned was no longer present, and Richard was surprised to find that he was unhappy about this development.

Richard entered the complicated code that disarmed the security safeguards on his ship, opened the airlock and stepped aboard, making sure to securely close the door and reactivate security. Virtually running, Richard reached the bridge and activated the full range of automated security that his shuttle had to offer. Sitting back in his chair, he attempted to breathe a sigh of relief but couldn't.

The problem was, he didn't feel any safer...

[Magellan Lin]

"That may just have solved our problem" Magellan said to T'Val as Richard left.
"Our problem?"
"Indeed, the Master wishes to infect the El Salvador himself. They are unable to return to base, and if I were to order them, they may become suspicious"
"And how does Mr Jibb help us?"
"That ship of his, The Wanderer, its a Diplomatic Courier vessel. Incredibly fast and well outfitted. It could reach the El Salvador in no time at all."
"Excellent" T'Val smiled,
"You must make him one of us, or at least ensure we get full access to that ship. Knowing Mr Jibb he has all sorts of security measures. Better that he is... available to disarm them. In fact deliver this message to him. "Magellan tapped on a PADD "It will inform him that I am seconding his vessel for a passenger. I will inform the Master that we have transport for him."
"Consider it done" T'Val nodded a cruel twist to her lips.

[Deleted]

T'Val accepted the PADD and bowed to Magellan, then walked away graciously, as befitted a healer. She walked leasurly, taking the shortest route to the Wanderer, while keeping to the somewhat darker side of the corridors. It surprised her that the lightning did not bother her as much at it seemed to bother Magellan. This would work towards her advantage.

At last, she reached the airlock to the Wanderer. "Mr Jibb, I have a message for you from the Admiral," she called. When he did not answer, she banged the airlock door unceremoniously. "Richard Jibb, open the door!" she shouted, "you do not keep a messenger waiting, that is rude."

<Jibb>

(I'll reply after you have...)

[Deleted]

Richard was sitting on the bridge of the Wanderer, trying to figure out a legitimate reason to leave Starbase Assailant right now. He had been assigned to the Starfleet Diplomatic Corps here, and was required to stay and complete any assigned duties asked of him. However, he really wanted to leave. He was considering the likelihood of Ambassador Saarok giving him some leave time when the proximity alarm went off. Richard activated the sensors which detected a Vulcan female walking towards his ship. Richard knew who it was. T'Val walked to the Wanderer's hatch and started banging at it, while shouting something. Richard activated the exterior pickups.

"...have a message for you from the Admiral," she called. She paused briefly "Richard Jibb, open the door!" she shouted, "you do not keep a messenger waiting, that is rude." She was staring up into the monitor over the airlock, a feral gleam in her eyes. Richard's hand shook as he activated the intercom.

"What's the message, T'Val?" Richard asked quietly.

"I am to deliver it to you in person Mr. Jibb" T'Val insisted.

"I'm afraid this is a diplomatic vessel, T'Val. You're a civilian, it's against regulations for me to allow you to board. Perhaps you could have it sent to me." Richard desperately wanted her away from his ship.

"I must deliver this message, Mr. Jibb. You will allow me to board and speak to you, NOW!" T'Val thundered with finality.

"I am the master of this vessel, T'Val. I decide who boards, and you definitely do not have my permission" Richard announced across the comm.

T'Val smiled triumphantly and waved a PADD, a gesture that Richard could not see. "You are no longer master of this vessel, Mr. Jibb. Please listen." T'Val activated the PADD and began to read.

"By order of Admiral Magellan, Commander Starbase Assailant:

The Diplomatic Shuttle Wanderer and Crew are hearby ordered seconded to Starbase Assailant until further notice.

Seconded Diplomatic Shuttle Wanderer and Crew are hearby ordered to take aboard and transport Starfleet representative to be named later to USS El Salvador B (Registry Number NCC-750029-B).

Seconded Diplomatic Shuttle Wanderer and Crew are hearby ordered to follow all orders of Starfleet representative until further notice.

Admiral Magellan
Stabase Assailant

Richard was stunned by this announcement, but his mind worked quickly. "I will be happy to oblige, T'Val. Seeing as there is no emergency I am aware of, if Ambassador Magellan wishes my vessel to transport someone, he will have to go through official channels. Have him contact Ambassador Saarok with an official request, which will then go to the Federation Council, as per regulations. Jibb out."

Richard closed the channel. Then he opened one to Ambassador Saarok.

[Felix Savali]

--Meanwhile aboard another ship--

"Sir , diplomatic courier Jibb is attempting to hail ambassador Saarok", a man said

"Reroute it to my console i will take over."

A few moments later the face of Richard Jibb appeared on the console.

=/\=Mr. Jibb , how can i be of assistance?=/\=

=/\=Admiral Magellan is attempting to take over my ship ,to transport someone, but i have also noticed a strange behavior of him and T'Val.=/\=

=/\=I understand, now listen carefully to me, you are to transport whoever they need you to transport , because if you do not they will suspect , i can not go into details now , but play along their plan. It is of vital importance to the security of the federation Mr. Jibb=/\=

<tag Jibb>

After he convinced Jibb to accept the transport of a person. He closed the channel. He looked at the man who informed him of the transmission.

"You have done well, prepare to follow the diplomatic vessel once it heads out , remain cloaked at all times"

"Sir , if i may , why didn’t you tell him the truth"

"You should have learned by now that only those who need to know will know , others will not know", the Vulcan said as he turned his attention to something on the computer screen and away from the man standing there.

[Deleted]

From the green mists again rose the figure of a man, dark and foreboding. As the final mists disappated, Tepes stepped forward to Admiral Lin, who had seen the mist appear; he somehow knew of its purpose, and so was not surprised at the appearance of the aristrocratic figure.

"I have been watching proceedings, Admiral, and am pleased," Tepes said. "All that I will require is a uniform of your Starfleet be available for my use, if needed."

"It will be done," answered Magellan.

"Good. Good! See to it they place it in my quarters in the diplomatic shuttle Wanderer," Tepes intoned. "You have done well."

Tepes, again taking his cape into his hands, raised his arms, and from somewhere around his body, the mist sprang, gaining in volume, until the figure of Tepes blended into and became the mist, which then rose and vanished into a ventilator shaft.

[Deleted]

T'Val stood annoyed before the still locked airlock, bright light from the corridors shining on her. "I am the wife of a diplomat," she ranted, "and I came here with a diplomatic vessel. But suit yourself..." She shrugged and walked off, back to ops.

"He would not let me aboard," she told Magellan indifferently, "I read the message to him and he went silent." She grinned up at him, baring her teeth. "He seemed....stunned. I am sure Master will have fun during the journey."

[Deleted]

Richard sat with his head in his hands, trying to figure out what to do. He had just gotten off of the comm with Ambassador Saarok, who had told him to give in to the demands of Magellan and T'Val, without any explanation except to say that it was for the good of the Federation. "Computer, access Assailant main database and find the location of Ambassador Saarok."


"Ambassador Saarok is not aboard Starbase Assailant" replied the computer.

Richard slammed his fist down on the console in anger. He was feeling completely isolated, which meant that he may as well act completely on his own. It was time to find out what was going on. "Computer, when did Saarok leave Assailant?"

"Saarok was no longer aboard Assailant as of Stardate 900705.6"

Richard reactivated the audio pickups and could hear T'Val shouting. "I am the wife of a diplomat," she ranted, "and I came here with a diplomatic vessel. But suit yourself..." T'Val stomped off.

Richard nodded. Came here aboard a diplomatic vessel eh? That was something he could exploit. "Computer, how did the Romulan T'Val arrive at Assailant and why did she come?"

"T'Val arrived at Starbase Assailant aboard Romulan Diplomatic shuttle D'Pol from Starbase Bellicose on Stardate 900623.7. The reason for the trip was listed as a medical emergency."

"Computer, list any unusual occurrences associated with T'Val's trip from Bellicose or arrivaly at Assailant" Richard said tersely.

"There was an override of diplomatic security on the Romulan shuttle D'Pol"

"Reason for security override."

"There was a medical emergency aboard the shuttle."

"Describe nature of medical emergency."

"Security lists discovery of T'Val in an unconscious state. T'Val was beamed to medical and a security sweep completed of the vessel."

"Computer, list results of security sweep."

"Results of security sweep are not available due to security lockout."

Richard shook his head "Computer, override security lockout, authorization Jibb Omega Beta 4 and list results of security sweep."

"Unknown molecules were found inside the Romulan vessel. T'Val was noted as having two puncture wounds on her neck."

Richard's forehead furrowed with puzzlement. "Computer, list cause of injuries to T'Val."

"There is no official cause listed."

"Were there any other injuries to T'Val?"

"Unknown. T'Val left Sickbay without authorization." Richard's eyebrows shot up as a result of that. The Romulan doctor snuck out of Sickbay. Interesting.

"Computer, list any other security issues that involved either T'Val or Saarok."

"There was a security alert in Saarok's office on Stardate 900705.6."

"Computer, describe nature of security alert."

"There was an unauthorized phaser discharge."

"This time coincides with the moment that Saarok is listed as no longer being on Assailant. Was the Ambassador killed?" Richard asked, holding his breath.

"Negative, Ambassador Saarok was no longer aboard the station several seconds after the phaser discharge."

Richard let his breath back out. "And where did Ambassador Saarok go?"

"That information is not available."

Richard stopped interrogating the computer for a moment while he thought about what he had just learned. Now he knew that something was wrong with T'Val,it happened on the shuttle and had something to do with the mysterious molecules that the security sweep had picked up. It also seemed clear that Saarok was involved, although Richard doubted the same thing was wrong with him that was wrong with T'Val. The phaser fire in Saarok's office would indicate that perhaps someone had tried to attack him there and he had fled, possibly to some hidden location on the Starbase or a cloaked ship.

It was also obvious that Admiral Magellan had the same problem that T'Val did. So, the problem was contagious. That led Richard to his memory of Operations. A number of Starfleet ships were headed back to Assailant, and he was being ordered to the El Salvador. Whatever it was was trying to spread through Starfleet, and if it had access to Starfleet ships, it would be able to go anywhere in the Alpha quadrant.

Richard decided on what his course of action would be. He spent several minutes programming the computers on the ship to carry out some unusual actions. Then he opened the airlock of the Wanderer and waited for his passenger.

[Deleted]

T'Val is vulcan

[Deleted]

Sorry.

[Deleted]

not a problem..she's married to a romulan...you're forgiven...please smile again?

[Deleted]

After T'Val had left Magellan, she felt a presence suddenly behind her. Somehow, deep within her, she knew the thing she sensed was not human, and turned cautiously. Before her stood Tepes.

"Good evening, T'Val," his deep voice said. "I have come to tell you I'm pleased with the arrangements you've made for my departure from Assailant. I require knowledge concerning what I, as a representative of your Starfleet, would be expected by the pilot of the Wanderer to know."

<T'Val>

"Very good," the dark figure answered.

"Because you and the Admiral have done so well, I have a gift for you. Give me your hand."

Slowly, cautiously, the Vulcan healer extended her hand, and Tepes enveloped it in his own. His hold was strong, and somewhat cold. As he took her hand in his, his eyes flashed, deeply piercing into the depths of her being, and she could feel a tremendous surge of power entering her body.

<T'Val>

"I have just given to you sufficient power for both you and the Admiral. When I have left, you will report to him, take his hand in yours, as I've just done with you, and he will also find new abilities," Tepes explained. "The flow of energy you've just felt will give you the capability to tranform yourselves into animalistic forms."

<T'Val>

"Continue to serve as you have today," Tepes promised, "and you will soon find yourselves able to use the mists."

Tepes could see the question in her eyes ... in her mind.

"Form the image of the beast you desire to use in your mind, and see yourself transformed into it. Then simply — "

Rather than explain, Tepes took his cape in his hands, lifted it, and was transformed into a large, black bat, and glided gracefully away.

~ Later, at the Docks ~

Tepes had decided to keep his transport to the El Salvador low-key. His hunger, beginning to rise, could wait until they reached the larger vessel. Then, there would be a feast – not simply a snack.

Dressed in black and draped with a shimmering black cape, he moved with an oily gracefulness toward the Wanderer and called out to the pilot.

"Permission to come aboard, Mr. Jibb."

<Richard Jibb>

Tepes stepped up the gangplank and into the Wanderer. Smiling, he greeted the suspicious pilot. His manner was suave and compelling.

"Good evening, captain. My thanks for permitting me passage on your vessel to the El Salvador."

[Deleted]

Richard's proxmity alarm went off again. Activating the sensors, he ran them over the dock area. One life form was heading toward the Wanderer. And so it begins, he thought to himself. "Computer, locate specified targets and lock."

"Targets locked."

Richard examined the readout of the approaching life form. It was odd to say the least. It was reading as human, but with a very odd peculiarities. Body heat was extremely low, heartbeat and respiration low, metabolism low. If it wasn't walking around, Richard was convinced that the being should be in a hospital. Richard had one thing to check. "Computer, run a complete scan on that being and run a comparison against the unknown molecules found on T'Vals shuttle."

"Working. Analysis complete. Being is emitting identical molecules."

Richard sighed and closed his eyes. That was enough proof for him.


"Permission to come aboard, Mr. Jibb."


The voice of the stranger resonated through the Wanderer, and it filled Richard with unease. Steeling his resolve, Richard stood up from the command chair and walked through his shuttle and arrived at the airlock. Standing at the base of the gangway was a pale man, dressed in black and with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Permission granted. Please come aboard, Mr...?" Richard let the question hang.

Tepes stepped up the gangplank and into the Wanderer. Smiling, he greeted the suspicious pilot. His manner was suave and compelling.

"Tepes will do. Good evening, captain. My thanks for permitting me passage on your vessel to the El Salvador." Tepes climbed the gangway like a tide, slow but seemingly unstoppable, eyes boring into Richard's and paused at the top. The two men faced each other, each taking the measure of the other. Richard was rather large for a human, but seemed to be dwarfed by the presence of Mr. Tepes. Unwillingly, Richard stepped aside and allowed Tepes aboard the Wanderer. Smiling ferally, the black-clad man boarded and walked into the ship. Richard shuddered after he had passed, and looked out the airlock, resisting the urge to run for it. Instead, he closed and secured the airlock.

Turning, Richard was shocked to see Tepes standing right behind him, an amused smile on his face. Richard could have sworn he heard his passenger proceed into the ship. "Are we prepared to leave, Mr. Jibb? I am quite anxious to begin my mission aboard the El Salvador." Richard was trapped in between the secured airlock and Tepes. He felt like a mouse being played with by a cat.

"Yes, we are prepared to leave. If you would like to accompany me to the bridge, we can be on our way." Richard waited as Tepes seemed to consider whether or not to move, then relented and preceeded Richard to the bridge. Richard sensed amusement from his passenger as they walked forward.

Richard took his position in the command chair, while Tepes stood behind him. The man seemed to have an overpowering urge to try to dominate those around him. Richard made sure to maintain the attitude he had adopted. "Oh, Mr. Jibb. I would appreciate it if you would shut down all security aboard your ship for the duration of my trip. I would be far more comfortable." The power of the command moved his hands immediately and Richard shut down what he could.

Hands shaking, Richard opened a channel and said "Shuttle Wanderer to Assailant Flight Control. Request permission to exit dock."

After a second, Flight Control answered. "Flight Control to Wanderer. Admiral Magellan has put a priority on your ship. You are free to leave at your convenience. Do you require a vector?"

Of course he has, Richard thought to himself. "Negative flight!" Richard snapped, then continued in a more controlled tone. "I do not require a vector. Please open the doors now. Wanderer out."

Richard heard Tepes chuckling deeply behind him, and the sound put his soul on edge.

The Wanderer quickly navigated it's way out of the Dock and into space with Tepes standing over Richard and watching his every move. Richard did nothing more than pilot the ship, knowing that the computer was going to be the real culprit.

The Wanderer's computer was not impressed by Tepes at all. It carefully monitored how far the Wanderer was from Starbase Assailant. Once a distance of 35 kilometers was reached, the next phase of the program kicked in. The ships transporter initialized and the the two locked targets, T'Val and Admiral Magellan, materialized on the bridge of the Wanderer. Once the transporter was finished cycling, the Wanderer flashed into warp speed like a frightened bird.

Surprised for the first time, Tepes looked over at T'Val and Magellan, who looked equally shocked to be there. Rage crossed Tepes' face and he turned, grabbed Richard by the shoulders, lifted with inhuman strength and sank his fangs into Richard's neck. After drinking deeply, Tepes flung him to the deck.

Eyes aflame, Tepes thundered "You will return these two to the Starbase and pilot this ship to the El Salvador!!

Head ringing, Richard covered his head with his hands and cringed at Tepes' feet. "I can't Master."

"Why not?" Tepes screamed, towering over the cowering human.

"I have passed all command codes of this ship to Ambassador Saarok. Nothing now works unless he does it, and the ship will plunge into the star Beta Epsilon in less than two hours unless he stops us. This ship is emitting a message to him right now." Richard whined.

Tepes' eyes widened. He was trapped.

[Deleted]

"Good evening, T'Val," his deep voice said. "I have come to tell you I'm pleased with the arrangements you've made for my departure from Assailant. I require knowledge concerning what I, as a representative of your Starfleet, would be expected by the pilot of the Wanderer to know."

[/color][/quote]

T'Val bowed graciously. "Master," she whispered, then looked up cautiously as she heard his request. "You would require knowledge of the federation, its species. I would suggest you carry yourself as a gentleman, a distinguished ambassador. Perhaps you can take on the form of one of the most wellknown human ambasadors?" She looked him over, afraid he might punish her for her boldness. "But you are a gentleman already," she said soflty, "all you require is the knowledge. I can offer that..." She raised her hand to his face and touched him briefly.

"Very good," the dark figure answered.

"Because you and the Admiral have done so well, I have a gift for you. Give me your hand."

Slowly, cautiously, the Vulcan healer extended her hand, and Tepes enveloped it in his own. His hold was strong, and somewhat cold. As he took her hand in his, his eyes flashed, deeply piercing into the depths of her being, and she could feel a tremendous surge of power entering her body.

T'Val shuddered with fear, and resisted the urge to scream. Suddenly it felt more pleasant, becoming part of her.

"I have just given to you sufficient power for both you and the Admiral. When I have left, you will report to him, take his hand in yours, as I've just done with you, and he will also find new abilities," Tepes explained. "The flow of energy you've just felt will give you the capability to tranform yourselves into animalistic forms."

T'Val nodded, and walked off to find the Trill admiral. She found him where she had left him before, and walked up to him, holding out her hand. "Give me your hand," she said, her voice commanding, but soft.

<Magellan>

T'Val took his hand, and felt part of the power pass on. After she was done, she explained what they were now capable of.

<Magellan>

[Felix Savali]

--On another ship--

"Sir we have intercepted a message for ambassador Saarok", a man said

"Is it from mr. Jibb?"

"Confirmed sir , it contains the command codes to his vessel and stated that his ship will collide in the star in 2 hours and kill the vampire things on aboard"

"Then we need to do something about it ."

"Sir but we have them captured"

"We do not need them , we are doing this to test federation security , you know that"

"Yes sir, they think Saarok is a vampire so lets not disappoint them"

"Scramble and open a channel with mr. Jibb ship but make sure its untraceable"

A few moments later in front of the people on the shuttle appeared an image of ambassador Saarok.

=/\=Having problems, he asked?=/\=

<Tepes>

=/\=Do not worry master everything is under control=/\=

<Tepes>

=/\=Transmitting command codes to the main computer=/\=

=/\=Lockout disengaged=/\=

=/\=I will remain near by=/\=, Saarok said as he closed the channel

<tag Tepes>

"Continue to follow mr. Jibb's ship, and continue the evaluation , the El Sal is an excellent place to conduct it and measure the time their security and crew find out that there is something wrong.", he said

"Yes sir."

"Now , leave me"

He said as he returned to his work. How many problems but he is sure to commend mr. Jibb after this is over and he is cured.

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan stood alongside T'Val,
"Give me your hand," she said, her voice commanding, but soft.
Magellan despite himself he did so.
T'Val took his hand, and felt part of the power pass on. After she was done, she explained what they were now capable of.
It was miraculous the fact that he could now be nearly any animal he wanted. It was certainly a power. A reward. They had indeed pleased the Master.
T'Val and Magellan remained in his office to go offer the Infection plans.
So far a few members of staff had been sired on Assailant and they were now in the process of siring the Scientific staff on the planet. There was after all a Terraforming Conference on Betazed in 2 weeks time.
Perfect feeding grounds.
Suddenly he felt the pull of the transporter and both he and T'Val were re materialised on the Wanderer.
They seemed to be on the bridge, Tepes and Richard were both there.
He began to feel a little strange, more... compassionate!
Magellan himself deep with in Lin felt the change. Felt the subtle way in which Lin asserted itself. He knew Lin always pushed hardest when technology was employed, ever since the near disassociation at the wrong end of a romulan disruptor Lin was skittish and instead of the symbiosis being a blend it was more disjointed. They were united and yet... it was hard to explain, exactly why he had never told the symbiosis commission.
In this unique state, his soul wholly within Lin, they were arguable the closest they had ever been. He could understand Lins fear of technology, he could almost feel what it was like to be the 6 inch slug like creature.
Pushing these thoughts aside he concentrated on the promising feeling that what ever it was that had taken over his body had weakened slightly.
He pushed and found suddenly he was back in control, if only partially, of his arms. He struggled with the powerfully 'other' mind his hand trying to reach the phaser at his waist.
The fleeting window was lost however and Magellan was thrown back, Lin quickly grasping the soul once more and protecting him. Still it was a chance.
He would have to bide his time, watch through eyes that were no longer his own and wait for a new opportunity.

[Deleted]

At the mention of Ambassador Saarok's name, Tepes' eyes narrowed and a smile curled his lips. It would require nothing more than a simple summons to the Ambassador to release the Wanderer from its suicide flight.

"You had planned this well, captain," said Tepes in a slightly mocking voice, "but you cannot kill what is already ... dead."

Tepes prepared to summon Ambassador Saarok, but before he could complete the connection, the image of the ambassador appeared on the bridge of the Wanderer.

Savali/Salek/Saarok said:

... =/\=Having problems, [Saarok] asked?=/\=

"I have been instructed, Ambassador, that this shuttle is locked on course into the center of star Beta Epsilon, and that you have been given the override codes to enable the alteration of our present course," Tepes said. "I require you to unlock the control of this ship so that we may resume our course to the El Salvador."

=/\=Do not worry, master; everything is under control=/\=

"Excellent," answered Tepes. "I am ... most anxious to begin my ... duties aboard the El Salvador."

=/\=Transmitting command codes to the main computer ... Lockout disengaged.

I will remain near by=/\=, Saarok said as he closed the channel

When the connection with Ambassador Saarok had been terminated, Tepes turned his attention to Captain Jibb.

"I trust," he scowled, his eyes terrifying to behold, "that there will be no further incidents. Be certain that I can not only reward those who faithfully serve my cause, but I also have power to punish."

[Deleted]

Ehy what about us? Do we go along to El-Sal or do we get to go back home to Assaillant? <us being Magellan and T'Val>

[Deleted]

Richard shrunk into himself as Tepes' eyes focussed on him, ordering that there be no more surprises on their way to the El Salvador.

"No, that was the only one" Richard's voice quavered.

Inside of his head, Richard desperately tried to hold onto some part of himself. It seemed that his will to resist Tepes was quickly being eroded away, and what was worse was that it was a pleasureable feeling. It seemed far easier to give in to Tepes than it was to fight on. Richard thought desperately and silently, until deciding on his course. For now, he would do nothing but what Tepes wanted and continue his internal struggle to hang on, harbouring his strength until an opportunity arose to strike back.

No matter what the cost.

[Deleted]

Commodore said:

Do we go along to El-Sal or do we get to go back home to Assaillant? <us being Magellan and T'Val>

OOC ~

While I would personally welcome your company on the El Salvador, perhaps that decision should be left up to agreement between you, Magellan, and Mr. Jibb.

[Deleted]

Mr Jibb? your call I think